Valda's back ached, the hard bark digging painfully into her spine. Blaan had ordered four hulking men to strap them to trees at the edge of the camp, before they settled down for the rest of the night.

Mauve was tied to the tree next to hers and Carrick next to her. The poor light meant that Valda could only make out Mauve's vague shape whilst Carrick was completely hidden by shadows.

She envied her companions' clothes. Having changed back into their Adiocion clothes before they'd walked through the portal, Carrick now wore leather trousers and jacket, both lined with some kind of fleece to help keep out the chill in the air. Whilst Mauve's many skirted gown left her cushioned and warm whilst sat on the floor. Valda had no such clothes.

Her outfit comprised the same clothes she wore when hiking with her Dad; a pair of waterproof trousers, rain jacket and a pair of sturdy walking boots. This outfit had kept her dry and warm in East Anglia but was decidedly failing in the much colder Adiocion.

The fire was just far enough away that they barely got any heat or light and soon the darkness would creep out of the woods and cocoon them whilst their kidnappers slept.

Valda would have preferred this except for Mauve's terrified whispers of creatures that lurked in the night. Creatures that would happily use them as a little midnight snack.

It was no surprise that with these happy thoughts all three of them struggled to find any sleep.

Valda had learned from Carrick that Blaan had once been a Lord of Lania until he turned traitor for Lorcan. The silver crest he now proudly wore was Lorcan's mark, a way for followers to distinguish themselves. Even though she couldn't see Carrick, Valda could feel his hatred simmering in the air.

The night dwindled on; the fire burning down until only its embers glowed. The guard in charge of keeping a lookout had dozed off half an hour ago. Only the three kids remained awake, sleep being impossible whilst tied to a tree.

Shuffling sounded from the forest, making them freeze, barely daring to breathe. Valda's mind flashed with images of terrible monsters. Her knowledge of Adiocion's creatures was limited, but that didn't stop her imagination running wild. Images of gigantic beasts with razor sharp teeth had her cowering in fear.

From the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a shape form from the darkness. She couldn't be sure, but it looked more solid than the rest of the shadows. It seemed to creep closer and her panic began rising. When it suddenly lunged forward, she sucked in her breath ready to scream but a hand clamped over her mouth.

"No please, don't scream. I'm here to help, but you have to remain quiet." A pair of warm chocolate eyes stared back at her.

So it wasn't quite the monster she'd been fearing. Instead, a boy, maybe the same age as Carrick stood in front of her, a large black shawl covering him so he easily blended into the darkness.

"I'm going to cut the ropes now. Don't scream, remember?"

Valda nodded her head, and the boy removed his hand from her mouth. Mauve next to her was trying to see what was happening, but the boy had his hood drawn, making it difficult.

He rose his sword and brought it down in a sharp arch so it soundlessly slashed through the ropes. Valda wiggled free as the boy dashed off to do the same for Mauve and Carrick.

She stretched, feeling the bones in her back crunch with happiness at being able to move again. Carrick and Mauve stood next to her, each wearing identical looks of astonishment.

The boy, his face still covered, waved them forward. "We need to detach the horses from the wagon. If you see any discarded weapons pick them up, we may need them," he whispered, keeping his head down before he swiftly made his way around the sleeping horde.

All three of them looked at each other, wondering if they could trust him, but he was their only option.

Nodding to each other, they trudged forward, keeping to the shadows in case someone woke up.

Carrick picked up his dagger and also found a longer sword that he could attach to his back. Mauve stole two sickle blades from a sleeping warrior without making so much as a sound.

Though Valda's heart was racing, she too took a bow and a quiver of arrows. On instinct she picked up a silver sword, lighter and smaller than Carrick's, but still wickedly sharp.

They made their way towards the front of the wagon without incident. The sleeping men barely stirred as they stepped through them; empty bottles lying next to them, possibly the cause for their heavy sleep.

The horses seemed pleased at their attention and nudged their heads against them. Valda was glad that her Dad had taken her riding when she was younger, still it had been many years and her mind suddenly couldn't recall a single lesson.

"There's no time to adjust any of the straps, just get on," the boy murmured, inspecting the hook that attached all four horses to the wagon.

Valda had less trouble climbing on her horse than Mauve, whose skirts made it impossible without Carrick's help.

The boy began hacking at the rope which made the horses nervous, but eventually it gave way and Valda's horse lurched forward, relieved to be free.

"Follow me." The boy mounted his horse and guided it through the trees.

Valda realised the stirrups were too low for her to hook her feet into, and she only hoped she could hold on. Thankfully, her horse followed Mauve's without her guiding, and Carrick brought up the rear.

The horses moved steadily, all of them trying to be soundless as they left the sleeping men behind. When they judged they were finally out of range, they pushed their horses into a gallop, desperate to put some distance between them and Lorcan's forces.

They rode in silence until the sun rose, the morning light just beginning to filter through the leaves. The horses' steps slowed, and their panting left clouds of white in the brisk morning air.

Exhaustion tugged at Valda. The others seemed more at home on a horse, but her legs were aching with the effort it took to hold on.

She wanted to collapse when they finally dismounted, but she stiffly led her horse to a stream and wrapped the reins around a low-lying branch. Once she'd cared for her horse, Valda allowed her aching legs to fold. Mauve, having done the same, sat beside her.

A large thud and a muffled 'ow', had them both turning to see Carrick pin the mystery boy against a tree. His dagger drawn and resting against the boy's throat.

"Carrick? What the hell?" Valda called out, rousing her dead legs to move.

"Stay there, Valda. He's a traitor." Carrick's words were bitter and he placed the blade against the boy's skin, drawing a pinprick of blood.

"I'm not! You have to believe me-"

"Enough. You're his son, aren't you? Blaan's son?" Carrick grasped the boy's hood and pulled it down so the whole of his face was visible in the morning sun.

Mauve and Valda gasped. The boy was a spitting image of the man who'd tried to kidnap him. The same pale skin and thin face. His glance met theirs and for the first time he looked nervous.

"My name is Tevin and yes I am Blaan's son but I am not a traitor," he pleaded.

"Enough lies. Where were you during the invasion, huh? I didn't see you with the rest of our people. No doubt you were with your father helping Lorcan's forces into the castle."

"No! My father had me locked away. He only let me out after Lania had fallen. Please, you have to believe me," Tevin begged, not once drawing his own weapon to defend himself.

"I don't." Carrick drew his dagger back and made to strike him.

"No! Carrick stop." Valda forced her tired legs forward, gripping hold of Carrick's hand. "You can't do this. He saved us. What if he's telling the truth?"

She wasn't sure whether they could trust Tevin, but that didn't mean that she believed he deserved death. He had risked his own life to save them. If he'd wanted them dead, he could have just left them tied to the tree.

"Valda, you don't know him or his family. They're nothing but traitors and cowards," Carrick snarled.

But Valda ignored his anger and stepped between him and Tevin. "And do you know him?"

Carrick only shook his head. "I know all I need to. He is Blaan's son," he answered cruelly.

"So you would kill him because of who his father is? Just as Lorcan would kill me if he knew my mother was Queen Orlaigh?" Valda heard the intake of breath behind her, but she ignored it.

Carrick stared back at her stonily. "That's different."

"How?"

"It just is, okay."

Valda shook her head sadly. "Carrick, it's exactly the same and you know it."

She felt a small burst of satisfaction as Carrick's grip on Tevin loosened and he took a few steps back. Mauve quickly walked to his side, trying to comfort him.

"I think he should come with us to the rebels."

Carrick and Mauve stared at her with identical looks of disbelief, but Tevin spoke before they could voice their opinions.

"If you are Queen Orlaigh's daughter, why would you want me to go with you? They are right, my Father is a traitor. He turned his back on Lania and its people. His blood is my blood." Tevin lowered his head, ashamed of his family.

"Because you aren't your father. You saved us, and you seem to know this forest fairly well. We need to make it to the rebels' stronghold. You could help us."

"Valda, I don't think this is a good idea," Mauve said behind her, but Valda knew this was what needed to happen. It was like her decision to come to Adiocion. Something inside her was telling her that Tevin had to come with them.

Tevin stared at her in awe, completely ignoring Carrick and Mauve.

Valda gasped when he sank to his knees in front of her.

"It would be an honour to come with you, Princess Valda of Lania. I give my life to protect you and will prove to everyone that I am much more than my father's son. I swear it on the spirit of Adiocion."

When he returned to his feet, he looked freer and more determined.

Valda turned to look at Carrick and Mauve, noticing their grudging acceptance.

"Fine. He can come, but I still don't trust him." Carrick turned to look directly at Tevin. "One false move, one moment of hesitation, and I will make sure you taste my blade."

Tevin nodded. "I understand Prince Carrick."

The siblings still didn't look happy, but moved away to assemble their camp.

"You should rest, we must move in a few hours. I can keep watch," Tevin offered.

"I'll keep watch with you." Carrick countered with a scowl, and Tevin nodded without comment, which was wise of him.

Valda unrolled her sleeping bag and settled into the grass, her stomach grumbling, but she ignored it. She was too tired to even think about eating. As soon as she shut her eyes she was lost to chaotic dreams.